New MP Harriett Baldwin has today written to Malvern Hills District Council to explain that they can now deal with speculative developer applications that are dependent on the Regional Spatial Strategy. Harriett has written to the council’s chief executive, Chris Bocock, explaining that the Secretary of State for Local Government’s special adviser has confirmed that the pledge to scrap the Regional Spatial Strategy is “an emerging policy and so any decision makers can take it into account as “a material consideration”. The Department for Communities and Local Government last week confirmed that it will be acting to abolish the Regional Spatial Strategy, ending the imposed requirement for massive housing development across the county. Because this is now a “material consideration” it means that planners and councillors can take it into account when deciding on planning applications. A number of developers have put in speculative applications for outline planning permission in the area. The largest of these is the Bloor Homes application for a “Worcester West” development between the City and Lower Broadheath. Harriett Baldwin said, “As soon as I was elected I started the process of ensuring that the Regional Spatial Strategy was abolished. That work is making rapid progress. “I now want the local district council to take note of this and make sure that any speculative applications tied to this policy can take this into account.” Harriett added: “It will now be down to our local councils to decide on the approach they want to take on future housing needs in the district. They will have the freedom and responsibility to respond to the needs of residents.”